Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they became the first English team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their continental title.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.